Succession of Small Mammals on Pine Plantations in the Georgia Piedmont

Abstract

Populations of small mammals were sampled by removal trapping on 32 pine [Pinus taeda] plantations, 1-15 yr old. Twelve species [Sigmodon hispidus, Peromyscus leucopus, Mus musculus, Reithrodontomys humulis, Ochrotomys nuttalli, Cryptotis parva, Blarina brevicauda, Oryzomys palustris, Microtus pinetorum, M. pennsylvanicus, Zapus hudsonicus and Sorex longirostris] were captured. One year old plantations supported dense stands of annual plants and primarily seed-eating forms of small mammals (P. leucopus and M. musculus). By the 3rd yr, lesser vegetation consisted mostly of perennial grasses, and an herbivore (S. hispidus) predominated. Herbivores continued to be most abundant in 5 yr old plantations, but the total catch of all forms declined sharply. The pine canopy closed at age 7 and total catch declined further, despite increased capture of woodland species. Fifteen year old stands supported very few animals. Comparisons of trapping records with estimates of cover density at each trap site showed that P. leucopus and S. hispidus were associated with different densities of cover. Ground cover increased with plantation age, and this may have caused the succession of small mammals observed.